We are to watch two women players from Europe ranked amongst
the best players in the world play a singles match.
We know nothing about either player and don’t instinctively support
either. They both are very similar. Physically fit and strong. Tall, muscular
and sun tanned. Hair unfashionable and under control. Hair band or sun visor. They
move athletically. Confident in their bodies.
They are much better at playing tennis than most of us watching. I enjoy
watching these players because they are physically aware, strong, powerful and
skillful. They show us what we are capable of.
One serves to begin the match and immediately differences
emerge. One is unreliable with hard, powerful shots and a weak backhand. The other one is more consistent. Hitting not
as powerfully but her serve and ground shots are more reliable.
I say to Christine, “With a weak backhand you can still win. You
try and avoid your weaknesses and take advantage of the things you are good
at. It’s like life.”
Christine then states the obvious, “Her back hand may be her
weakness but it’s much better than yours.”
Along with their techniques their personalities begin to
surface. The one with the unreliable technique also tends to have a more
erratic personality. Her frustration begins to manifest itself to us and more
importantly to her opponent.
I say to Christine, “One player is having trouble concentrating.
When I can’t concentrate I think of one point at a time. I think next point I
must get the ball back into the court.”
I then say, “I would agree. It doesn’t help you win.”
Christine then says, “I’m confused now. Are you telling me what
to do or what you do?”
We then watch the tennis without speaking. The ball bounces
from end to end. The thump thump sound
coming from a tennis match is a beautiful, relaxing noise. No sport ever
sounded so good.
We wander to the outside courts. I want to get close enough
to smell, feel and hear the players. I want to sense their humanity. There are no matches on outside courts so we
go back to the center court and a new match.
Another two players new to us. We watch them hit up.
Who will win will depend on so many factors.
Where did they sleep last night? Was there bed comfortable
and the room quiet? What happened before retiring? Did they eat or drink anything
which will affect them today?
Where is their home town? Is it hot, dry and dusty or cold,
wet and prone to snow?
Who are their coaches? Do the coaches have many other players
in their squad? What is the relationship between coach and player like?
What is their relationship with family and friends like? Have
they spoken on the phone to anybody immediately prior to the match? What did
they say on the phone?
What color socks are they wearing? The tennis world is full
of people with lucky socks or lucky charms.
What is their tennis experience? How long have they been playing? Who have
they played against? What type of competition have they had? What is their
ranking?
You can do everything right yourself but the result also goes
depends on your opponent. You can play to your potential. Achieve perfection
and still lose if your opponent is a better tennis player.
I start talking to Christine about the opposing techniques
and how they match up against each other and who I think will win and Christine
raises her eyebrows and plays with her phone.
Christine then hands me her phone and shows me a message
which says, “You are not at home watching TV. You are surrounded by people who
don’t want to listen to your comments.”
I think I am surrounded by people who feel the same as me
about tennis. I love tennis because it’s more than just a game. It’s a battle
between two people. With different personalities, cardiovascular fitness,
techniques, emotional status and knowledge.
And it’s a game you can both watch and play.
